prevailed; prevailing; prevails
1
: to gain ascendancy through strength or superiority : triumph
2
: to be or become effective or effectual
3
: to use persuasion successfully
prevailed on him to sing
4
: to be frequent : predominate
the west winds that prevail in the mountains
5
: to be or continue in use or fashion : persist
a custom that still prevails
Examples of prevail in a Sentence
Mutual respect prevails among students and teachers here.
The house was built in the style that prevailed in the 1980s.
The law still prevails in some states.
Recent Examples on the Web
Kissel prevailed with a golden goal in overtime Monday, bringing the game to 2-1 and the unseeded Vermont its first men’s soccer NCAA championship in program history.
—
Rebecca Tauber, The Athletic, 17 Dec. 2024
Related article Vikings, Falcons prevail in Monday Night Football doubleheader
The reigning back-to-back Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs secured their 10th straight playoff berth with five games to spare after beating the Las Vegas Raiders on Black Friday in Week 13.
—Sam Joseph, CNN, 17 Dec. 2024
Baker ultimately prevailed in the race and prioritized health care reform during his administration, signing several pieces of legislation and defending key aspects of President Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act against attacks from Republicans.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 17 Dec. 2024
Pallone prevailed, however, when every House Democrat got the chance to vote.
—Mike Lillis, The Hill, 16 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for prevail 
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Rebecca Tauber, The Athletic, 17 Dec. 2024
Related article Vikings, Falcons prevail in Monday Night Football doubleheader
The reigning back-to-back Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs secured their 10th straight playoff berth with five games to spare after beating the Las Vegas Raiders on Black Friday in Week 13.
—Sam Joseph, CNN, 17 Dec. 2024
Baker ultimately prevailed in the race and prioritized health care reform during his administration, signing several pieces of legislation and defending key aspects of President Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act against attacks from Republicans.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 17 Dec. 2024
Pallone prevailed, however, when every House Democrat got the chance to vote.
—Mike Lillis, The Hill, 16 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for prevail
Dictionary Entries Near prevail
Cite this Entry
“Prevail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prevail. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
prevail
verb
pre·vail
pri-ˈvā(ə)l 
1
: to win against opposition : be successful
our team prevailed
truth will prevail over error
believed injustice should not prevail
2
: to urge successfully
prevailed upon me to play a few tunes
3
a
: to be frequent
the storms that prevail there in winter
b
: to be or continue to be in use or fashion
lower rates prevail in the evening
customs that still prevail
Legal Definition
prevail
intransitive verb
pre·vail
pri-ˈvāl
1
: to obtain substantially the relief or action sought in a lawsuit
2
: to be frequent or predominant
the prevailing rate
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